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This marks a harsh week across the nation, with numerous individuals questioning if the country can pull itself out of this spiral of hatred and violence.

In the wake of a deeply shocking political killings in American history, the state leader of Utah pleaded for Americans to turn down the rhetorical heat.

However, hardly anyone believes that is the path the nation will choose—at least not in the near future.

The past few decades are full of examples where America has chosen not to come together after a devastating event. It didn't happen over a decade past after a left-leaning congresswoman was shot during a public event, and also several years back when a right-leaning congressman was shot during baseball practice.

Americans didn't even come together in the face of a global pandemic. In fact, Covid made polarization worse.

Within days Charlie Kirk's death, the nation’s political camps returned to conflicting narratives.

This dynamic is simple, but hard to change. Motivations that fuel American political life benefit people and platforms that escalate tensions, not those who dial tensions down.

Nationwide, you're in a better position to get elected if you run on platforms and language that resonate with your political base, rather than the political middle.

Similarly, across news outlets, commentators who discuss government are compensated for adopting radical views and provoking anger—that's the method to attract more eyeballs and, ultimately, increased revenue.

This incentive structure is what makes Utah Governor Spencer Cox something like an American exception.

After the shooting, he called on the public to "log off, turn off, touch grass, embrace loved ones, volunteer and perform acts locally."

He sounded so sane, refreshingly positive—a attempt, amid conflict, at reconciliation.

The 1960s and 70s versus Today

Division and political violence have long existed across the US. Some 160 years ago, the nation engaged in civil conflict and has never really stopped.

Over a period of five years during that era, a US president was killed followed by his brother was killed while campaigning to become president. Around that time, two of the nation's most influential activists were murdered too.

During the next decade, Head of State a sitting leader was targeted on two separate occasions. Later on, Ronald Reagan was shot on his way to his vehicle.

Naturally, just last year a former president was the target of a failed attempt against him from an assailant in Pennsylvania—and a second alleged attempt by a gunman elsewhere, whose trial commenced the same period Kirk was killed.

However, what distinguishes the current climate from the past decades, however, is precisely Governor Cox is worried about.

Although he has carefully steered away from saying remarks that would deepen splits among the public, he has not been as measured toward the tech platforms that he clearly blames for the incident.

"In my view that social media has played a direct role in all assassination and assassination attempt that we have seen over the last five, six years," Cox said in an interview.

He went on to say that "a destructive force" was probably too weak a word for what it has done on the nation’s fabric.

Large platforms remained silent in their official capacities. Yet, Elon Musk, boss of X, has weighed in, claiming that the "left-wing extremists celebrated the killing of the activist," further noting, "coming together is impossible with extremists who celebrate murder."

Additionally, he argued about the effect of online discourse, saying: "Although occasionally the conversation on X can become hostile, it's still good that such a discussion taking place."

'This is like a Troubled Relationship'

The dangers of this system that blends social media with politics worries even those who are the most passionate about politics, regardless of their affiliations.

Earlier this week, Kaitlin Griffiths, a 19-year-old who is the head of Utah State University's branch of a political group, a conservative network, put it plainly: "Social media are definitely a challenging element in modern life.

"It is nearly impossible to hold a conversation with anyone holding opposing views with your political beliefs—which is that's honestly tragic."

Unfortunate and paradoxical, because the activist viewed himself as a champion of open discourse, while his detractors often disagreed with that framing. His death, however, may push the country away from respectful debate.

Within days Kirk's death, the country's factions resumed opposing interpretations.

Progressives are eager to explore the means that Kirk's killer might have been radicalised by internet subcultures and group chats. Many on the right prefer to examine if the individual was involved in a progressive plot.

No side appears especially willing to focus on healing or unity.

In truth, experts in extremism contend that partisan is not the most helpful framework to look at the division of this current moment.

"It's better to look at what's causing individuals to be unruly," says Rachel Kleinfeld, a senior fellow at the a think tank for International Peace who specialises in divided nations.

"This requires a desire to turn down the hostility… which demands people to have a bit more courage than they're showing.

"I think it is better to emphasize ways for the public move forward and start anew, since this is like a dysfunctional relationship. Similar to a bad marriage, you can only lose by pointing fingers."

The Requirements for Healing Would Take

As for the issue of if America can overcome the grip of the digital systems that fuel the rifts, this necessitates a figure of great resolve with an similarly deep dedication to unity.

"I'm not sure how to exit this situation," a politics writer told me. "Progress would require if all sides—and by parties I mean 'factions' not just elected officials—agree to end the accusations and simply declare 'stop'."

"Usually only a president can enable such change. Absent all groups consenting that certain lines that shouldn't be crossed, or lacking the incoming administration doing so, I'm not sure reconciliation can occur."

The former president does not represent such a style of leader. He often seems at his strongest, in terms of support, while having an opponent to fight against.

Based on observation is that Trump does believe that people on the left want to destroy his political base. Following Kirk's death, his tone has been a sharply contrasting approach compared to the state official.

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